Southern Africa

Standing Female Figure, 19^th

Madagascar; Malagasy

Wood, patina stain

In Madagascar the worthy Sakalava families would put the dead people in a wooden container which had been decorated with figures of women, men and birds.  This example below is of a woman who has knees that were bent, elegant hairstyle, and a plump chest to stress that it was a female and to imply she could carry a baby.  

The people of Madagascar believed in an astrologically nature of where the sculptures would be placed, it was a system they called “Vintana”. The Sakalava people were certain on accepting ones destiny came from the time and date a persons was born.  The system they followed had to do with the main directions which were east, west, north and south, they did it this way so a person’s vintana would be positioned correctly.  In the tombs the men and women figures were placed facing each other, and were in opposite sides of the building.  It was done this way to promote wealth and fertility among them.

 

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_1978.412.577.jpg